What can mimic scleroderma?

However, similar features of hard and thick skin can be seen in other conditions which are often referred to as “scleroderma mimics”. These mimics include eosinophilic fasciitis, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, scleromyxedema, and scleredema among others.

Can scleroderma be misdiagnosed?

There is currently no cure for scleroderma, and the best hope for patients is early diagnosis, which can be difficult. “Misdiagnosis is very common with scleroderma patients because its symptoms are quite common.

What is the difference between scleroderma and scleromyxedema?

Unlike scleromyxedema, sclerotic features, systemic involvement, and monoclonal gammopathy are absent in localized lichen myxedematosus. Scleroderma and scleredema are additional disorders that present with sclerodermoid features but are unrelated to scleromyxedema.

What tests confirm scleroderma?

Antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing is the most important blood test to screen for scleroderma and other connective tissue diseases.

What labs are abnormal with scleroderma?

Blood tests: Elevated levels of immune factors, known as antinuclear antibodies, are found in 95% of patients with scleroderma. Although these antibodies are also present in other autoimmune diseases such as lupus, testing for them in potential scleroderma patients is helpful in assisting with an accurate diagnosis.

What can mimic scleroderma?

Is ANA positive in scleroderma?

Approximately 95% of people with systemic scleroderma have a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test, but so do people with other autoimmune diseases (97% of people with lupus, as an example). People with localized scleroderma usually have negative ANA.

Where does scleroderma usually start?

The first parts of the body to be affected are usually the fingers, hands, feet and face. In some people, the skin thickening can also involve the forearms, upper arms, chest, abdomen, lower legs and thighs. Early symptoms may include swelling and itchiness.

Does scleroderma always show up in blood tests?

A blood test alone cannot diagnose scleroderma. Depending on the clinical situation, additional tests may be done, such as: Pulmonary function tests or breathing tests to measure how well the lungs are working. CT chest scan may also be ordered to evaluate the extent of lung involvement.

What does a scleroderma flare feel like?

Common symptoms of scleroderma may include painful joints (arthralgia), morning stiffness, fatigue, and/or weight loss. The intermittent loss (triggered by cold temperatures) of blood supply to the fingers, toes, nose, and/or ears (Raynaud's phenomenon) is an early and frequent complaint of people with scleroderma.

At what age is scleroderma usually diagnosed?

Age: Most localized types of scleroderma show up before age 40, and systemic types of scleroderma are typically diagnosed between ages 30 and 50.

Does scleroderma cause burning sensation?

Erythromelalgia is a rare type of blood vessel disease whose symptoms include flare-ups of burning pain in the hands and feet, and less commonly in the arms, legs, and face. The disease can occur alongside systemic scleroderma.

How common is localized scleroderma?

EPIDEMIOLOGY. Localized scleroderma is more frequent than systemic scleroderma but still a rare condition. In the general populcition where systemic disease is estimated to have an incidence of 0.45 to 1.9 cases per 100,000,^33,34 the incidence of the localized sclerodermas is 2.7 cases per 100,000.

What causes scleredema?

Febrile illness with streptococcal infections ^{[8, 9]} : An upper respiratory tract infection (typically pharyngitis) is the most common cause of scleredema in patients with type 1 scleredema. Scleredema following scabies infestation, as a result of superinfection with Streptococcus, has been reported.

Can you have scleroderma without Raynaud's?

Most people diagnosed with Raynaud's will not develop scleroderma, which only affects 0.1% of everyone who has Raynaud's. This is because the majority of people who are living with Raynaud's will have the primary form, with symptoms of cold hands and feet and painful attacks with changes in temperature.

Can scleroderma remain mild?

In many patients, it remains being mild and does not progress. In general, the more skin that is involved, the more severe the case of scleroderma. Learn more about the different types of Scleroderma.

Can you have scleroderma with a negative Scl 70?

Systemic Scleroderma

Patients with early diffuse cutaneous scleroderma frequently have delayed Raynaud's, acute onset, many constitutional symptoms, arthralgias, tendon friction rubs, swollen puffy hands, and early diffuse skin thickening. They may have anti–Scl-70 antibody, as well as anti–RNA polymerase III.

Is scleroderma worse in the winter?

Raynaud's phenomenon and cold intolerance are seen in almost every patient with scleroderma. Patients often feel worse in winter months and complications from Raynaud's phenomenon such as digital ulcerations are more likely to occur in the cold winter months.

What kind of pain does scleroderma cause?

Pain, stiffness and achiness are common problems in Scleroderma. Almost all people with Scleroderma are familiar with pain due to Raynaud's or finger ulcerations. Many more experience joint, nerve, and muscle pain.

Does scleroderma cause weight gain?

Acute localized scleroderma (morphea) can present as severe generalized oedema with rapid weight gain and oliguria.

How does scleroderma affect the bowels?

Large Intestine (Bowel/Colon)

In scleroderma, there is a weakening of the gut muscles and impaired motility. This can lead to constipation. Constipation means different things to different people. For many people, it simply means infrequent stools.

How quickly does scleroderma progress?

In our cohort, 56% of observed progression occurred within 5 years since the first non-Raynaud symptom. While progression in skin involvement occurred more frequently in early disease, the proportion of patients with lung, heart or GI progression was relatively stable over time.

Do Rheumatologists treat scleroderma?

While there is no cure, there are treatments that may slow down the disease, and rheumatologists work with skin, lung, heart and kidney specialists to treat the specific organs that may be involved to help improve symptoms, limit organ damage and improve quality of life.

Does scleroderma affect the legs?

Linear scleroderma can affect the bones and the muscles. When linear scleroderma appears on the arms or legs, it can cause the child's limb to under develop, causing disability.

What virus causes scleroderma?

One theory suggests that scleroderma is caused by a virus or other infection. For example, a common virus called CMV (cytomegalovirus) is known to infect cells (endothelial cells) that line our blood vessels, which we know are diseased in scleroderma (3).

What does a scleroderma rash look like?

The patches of hardened skin can be lighter or darker than your natural skin color. Some people develop violet-colored skin, which means that the scleroderma is active and expanding. This patient has darker and lighter (white) areas that are hard to the touch.